Inside BlackBerry for Business Blog » DoDhttp://bizblog.blackberry.com
Tue, 03 Mar 2015 20:20:04 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/http://0.gravatar.com/blavatar/20ac8e1f171f33d226baa862f286c029?s=96&d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.png » DoDhttp://bizblog.blackberry.com
BlackBerry first to obtain a coveted U.S. Department of Defense approvalhttp://bizblog.blackberry.com/2014/03/blackberry-first-to-obtain-a-coveted-u-s-department-of-defense-approval/
http://bizblog.blackberry.com/2014/03/blackberry-first-to-obtain-a-coveted-u-s-department-of-defense-approval/#commentsThu, 27 Mar 2014 16:00:55 +0000http://bizblog.blackberry.com/?p=13175/ Read More]]>BlackBerry has been a valued and trusted partner to global government agencies and enterprises for more than a decade. And today, we mark yet another milestone in our focus to be the most reliable end-to-end secure communication platform for customers.

Back in August 2013, BlackBerry was the first vendor that DISA awarded Authority to Operate on U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) networks. After receiving this designation, we worked diligently to achieve the final step in DISA’s technology approval process. That effort culminated with FOC. This makes BlackBerry the only vendor to earn FOC, a crucial distinction that highlights our deep heritage in security.

FOC means that users with any BlackBerry 10 smartphone connected with BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10 can be fully deployed on the DoD secure infrastructure. This approval opens the door for DoD customers to realize the full productivity and security benefits of the BlackBerry 10 platform.

For example, government employees can use BlackBerry Balance technology, which allows users to toggle between work and personal profiles. BlackBerry Balance separates and secures data from personal content, allowing the user to gain secure access to DoD network resources, along with the full benefits of a consumer experience. BlackBerry 10 smartphones are the only DoD-approved devices with this “dual personality” capability.

Mobilizing Governments

Recent reports of vulnerabilities in untested mobile platforms such as KNOX as well as vendors implementing a barely acceptable “Good enough” approach to managing devices show that government agencies risk the security of our nation’s data if using unproven solutions.

Our nation’s most valuable assets, including the mobile communications infrastructure that supports government agencies and our military, must be protected with the best technology available. No other vendor has the same level of trust BlackBerry has by governments and organizations that require the highest levels of security.

Even President Obama has stated publicly that his security team would not allow him to use any mobile platform other than BlackBerry.

As FOC further demonstrates, BlackBerry stands ready to help government agencies ensure that our nation’s most sensitive mobile communications remain secure and protected from intrusion or compromise.

Continue the conversation by leaving your comments below or let us know your thoughts on @BlackBerry4Biz

However, within minutes of publishing that blog post, my Research In Motion® (RIM®) colleagues began BBMing me to point out that I’m not the only story in town. Apparently there’s a bigger story than I was aware of! As important as the USDOD approval is – and despite my local pride in the achievement of my North American friends on the security, regulatory compliance, and government marketing teams – apparently, RIM staff across the pond and around the world have their own bragging rights with governments globally certifying BlackBerry 7 OS for use.

(As of February 2015, BlackBerry holds 70+ security certifications and approvals from governments.)

Not to be outdone, my U.K. counterparts chimed in adding that the CESG (Communications-Electronics Security Group), the National Technical Authority for Information Assurance, has also approved BlackBerry 7 for government use across the U.K., making BlackBerry the only mobile solution approved by CESG to protect material ‘Restricted’ materials.

Whether it’s U.S., U.K., or Australia, governments around the world continue to use and officially approve the BlackBerry platform. For political reasons, it’s seldom they can speak about it publically, but time and again, after significant testing and review, our solutions pass with flying colors – acknowledging key facets of the BlackBerry solution including security, manageability, and scalability.

However, leading organizations, from both government and corporate sectors must look beyond certifications and focus simply on leveraging their investment in mobile infrastructure. Ensuring their staff have the tools they need to be the most productive often means accessing newer technology like the advanced features incorporated in the newest BlackBerry 7 OS smartphones – fast web browsing, NFC interoperability, augmented reality applications, and so on.

Moreover, in light of consumerization demands, IT organizations need to appease end user demands, opening up access to BlackBerry consumer features like the MP3 player, built-in radio, and camera functionality, not to mention access to fun and entertaining apps in the BlackBerry App World™ storefront.

So whether driven by regulatory approval or the built-in benefits (both personal and organizational), organizations are increasingly moving towards BlackBerry 7 OS. These governments have clearly defined their enterprise grade device choice, providing departments and staff with a much needed benchmark. Where is your organization at in defining your ‘approved’ mobile solution…are you leading or lagging public sector?

Your peers would be as grateful as I would be to hear your comments on mobile device selection and policy. Where is your organization at in defining and controlling device selection? Do you provide approved lists? Do you depend on analogous industry certifications or do you have your own approval program? Where does Mobile Strategy stop and Mobile Device Management start? What criteria do you use to evaluate whether a device is worthy of your organization’s staff and data?

]]>http://bizblog.blackberry.com/2012/06/blackberry-7-certified-worldwide/feed/0Roger B.BlackBerry in GovernmentBlackBerry 7 Smartphones Approved for use on U.S. Department of Defense Networkshttp://bizblog.blackberry.com/2012/05/blackberry-7-department-of-defense-approved/
http://bizblog.blackberry.com/2012/05/blackberry-7-department-of-defense-approved/#commentsFri, 18 May 2012 15:25:19 +0000http://bizblog.blackberry.com/?p=7712]]>Research In Motion® (RIM®) recently announced approval for the use of BlackBerry® 7 OS smartphones across the Department Of Defense (DoD) in the United States. Working with U.S. Army and Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) sponsors and partners, BlackBerry 7 OS smartphones went through various testing in Army labs, gaining them subsequent listing on DISA’s Unified Communications Approved Product List (UCAPL). The approval allows all DoD customers to use BlackBerry 7 smartphones on DoD networks including everything from the flagship BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900 smartphone to the more consumer friendly BlackBerry® Curve™ 9360 smartphone, as well as more touch-centric BlackBerry Torch smartphones (9810, 9850/9860).

Scott Totzke commented on the significance of the DoD accessing BlackBerry 7 OS technology: “The Army introduced a wide range of new apps and capabilities for their BlackBerry users last year, and these new BlackBerry 7 smartphones will now enable Army users, and all DoD users, to experience an even greater level of performance on new smartphones that include features such as voice activated universal search, Near Field Communications, Augmented Reality, and Social Feeds 2.0 just to name a few”.

But, even with all these great features, let me be clear – buying a device is not the same as crafting an enterprise grade mobility strategy. There’s back-end integration, security policy selection, budgetary considerations, and of course application deployment decisions. However, this pre-approval means that IT leaders can move from the tactical role of “device pickers” to a more strategic role of “mobile enablers” – providing greater value to the organization, and a more rewarding career for the IT staff.

Over the past year, the Inside BlackBerry for Business Blog has featured conversations with Mike K. Brown (Director Product Security, SVP BlackBerry Security Group) around the various certifications and approvals RIM has achieved, such as FIPS 140-2 validation and Common Criteria EAL4+. There are many reasons why these certifications are important, but one of the recurring themes is around “making it easy for IT”. Certifications and official approvals allow IT decision makers to deploy BlackBerry devices in their organizations with ease by removing a certain amount of organizational or political risk. You can proceed with confidence knowing that not only are you making the right decision, but there’s an external, neutral, trusted body that has your back.

In the end, this approval will help ensure that the DoD is able to fully leverage the power of BlackBerry smartphones and realize the full potential of their investment in the BlackBerry platform.

(As of February 2015, BlackBerry holds 70+ security certifications and approvals from governments.)

How do you handle device selection? Do you have a pre-approved list? Are device upgrades based on time periods or technology shifts? Is your organization on BlackBerry 7, or are you missing out on key features?